'Jagamohan' repair work to be over by Jun 2017: ASI to HC

The repair of Jagamohan portion of Sri Jagannath Temple at Puri will be completed by June 2017, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) told the Orissa High Court today.
In its status report submitted to the HC, ASI, which is in-charge of repair, renovation and maintenance of the 12th century shrine, said the fixing of steel pillars will be over by November this year and the box frames by April next.
ASI is using the steel pillars and box frames to provide additional support to the weak pillars and beams of 'Jagamohan', as the prayer hall of the shrine is called.

The ASI affidavit was submitted in response to a notice issued by the HC while adjudicating over a PIL filed by a native of Cuttack city. The petitioner had sought judicial intervention and monitoring of the Jagamohan repair work which had run into rough weather a few weeks ago.
The ruling BJD in Odisha and the ruling BJP at the Centre were engaged in a war of words after it was alleged that ASI was not serious about the renovation and maintenance of the temple.